Six high-strutting, back-bending, baton-twirling men tried out to be next football season’s drum major for the Ohio State University Marching Band. Josh Halter, who was drum major last year, was chosen to continue for another season, while Matt Berndsen was selected as assistant drum major.
A small crowd gathered at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Tuesday to watch the competition. Most in the crowd were family and friends supporting the candidates.
ABIGAIL MINER/THE LANTERNOSU Marching Band drum major Josh Halter performs his duties during last year’s game against Penn State.The second round proved more difficult for the candidates. Their twirling routines were more complicated and resulted in a few drops of the baton. The two who did not drop during that round were Halter and Berndsen.
The third round was a demonstration of five high aerial tosses, during which some of the candidates incorporated more complicated techniques and acrobatics. It was the only round during which the OSU Spring Band did not play. The silence added tension when some of the performers’ batons fell to the ground.
After about 30 minutes of grading, the final decision was made. Halter, a third-year in economics, was named first drum major. Berndsen, a second-year in hospitality management, was selected as assistant drum major.
Berndsen said his primary roles as assistant will be filling in when the first drum major cannot perform, and helping lead Script Ohio when the band performs two at the same time.
Prior to trying out, the candidates must spend at least one year in the drum major training squad. Halter and Berndsen said the squad members train about three hours a day.
As first drum major, Halter led the squad last year and helped train the other squad members – his competition for the top spot.
“I will say that two or three weeks [before tryouts] we don’t talk to each other as much,” Halter said. “But tomorrow we’re all friends again. It’s a tough and a weird relationship, but it’s one that we understand.”
Halter said he was confident that he would keep his position. But last year’s assistant drum major was not as fortunate. Samuel Heinold, a fourth-year in business, was visibly upset by his replacement.
Michelle Graf, a judge at the tryouts, said it can be hard to make the decision, but that seniority isn’t a factor in the judging.
“It really depends on what you do on that day,” she said.
Graf was the first female drum major in the Big Ten. She was one of many honorary adjudicators, including many past drum majors from as far back as 1944.
Elizabeth Ramos can be reached at [email protected].
